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Archbishop's child abuse probe

The Archbishop of York has launched an independent investigation into child abuse allegations. A former Archbishop of York has been accused of covering up allegations that a senior Church of England clergyman had abused choirboys and school pupils.

Former Archbishop of York denies neglect over 'abuse'

The former Archbishop of York, Lord Hope of Thornes, has denied covering up allegations that a senior clergyman sexually abused choirboys:

I strenuously deny (and am obviously disappointed at) the suggestion that myself or my team at the time would have acted negligently in this or any other safeguarding matter.

Under the Church of England's 1999 Policy on Child Protection which was in effect at the time (but which has subsequently been reviewed) Paragraph 31 states:

'There is no automatic legal obligation on the Church to refer allegations by adults to the police or social services. However it is essential to consider whether children may still be at risk from the abuser or alleged abuser and, if so, to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to safeguard them, and these will involve reporting the matter to the social services or the police.'

In considering whether children would be at risk from Robert Waddington I decided under these guidelines that this would not be the case given his serious ill health following cancer surgery. The following year I revoked Robert Waddington’s permission to officiate. He died two years later.

I am deeply aware of the pain caused to any victim of child abuse, especially at the hands of a trustworthy person within the church.